Stars’ message of support to Victoria

Pictured - Vicky Balch who was injured in the accident at Alton Towers theme park. See Ross Parry copy RPYRIDE. Leah Washington, from Barnsley, has suffered an amputation above the left knee and a fractured left hand. University of North Midlands NHS Trust says she is in a serious but stable condition. Joe Pugh, who was also injured, is in a serious condition and has suffered two broken knees and extensive hand injuries, the Trust says.

Published:10:10Tuesday 16 June 2015

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Pop star Olly Murs has sent a well-wishing message to a Leyland teenager who was seriously injured in the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash.

And he was joined by Celebrity Juice host Leigh Francis, who also added a message of support to Victoria Balch.

Olly, the 2009 X Factor runner-up, did not hesitate to get involved when a social media campaign, calling on people to urge the star to tweet Victoria Balch, was launched.

He wrote: “Hey @vickyj_b Thinking of you darlin! So sorry to hear about your leg... Good luck with the operation!!

“Stay strong babe x.”

And fan Victoria, 20, who is a former pupil of Worden Academy, Leyland, replied thanking him, saying “thank you so much for the message, definitely cheered me up”.

Victoria’s best friend started the campaign.

She wrote: “My bestfriend Vicky Balch was the 19yr old on the front row of the Alton Towers horror smash.

“She’s been fighting to save her right leg since.

“We don’t know if it will ever work again or if she is going to lose it over the course of her rehabilitation.

“It was her birthday and she celebrated it in a 12-hour op to save her leg.

“Can you help me get Olly Murs to tweet her or video call her.

“She needs some light in her life to help her overcome the sleepless nights.